YOSEMITE – Four rescued fisher (Martes pennanti) kits were released yesterday north of the Merced River in Yosemite National Park. This historic reintroduction was a cooperative effort between the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW), Fresno-Chaffee Zoo, and the Fresno Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation. The reintroduction aims to increase the long term viability of the declining ...

To The Editor: On June 9, 2014, the reality of near non-existent fire protection in Madera County was on full display in Bonadelle Ranchos. The unimaginable happened… a family’s home burned just six lots away from County Fire Station 19. A single career firefighter, aided by two “paid call” firefighters, quickly responded. An aggressive attack on the fire was initiated; ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST  – Due to the diligence and hard work of crews and aircraft resources, the fire has now reached 67 percent containment. The weather conditions have cooperated with firefighting efforts to allow the increase in containment. Lines continued to be patrolled and mopped up throughout the night. Total acreage increased to 140,760 acres and the Rough Fire remains ...

YOSEMITE – There are currently four fires burning in Yosemite. One is being actively suppressed, while the other three are being closely monitored. Tenaya Fire (37 46.091 x 119 34.641 – Mariposa Co., 7200’ El. 8/7). The estimated acreage on the Tenaya Fire is now 415 acres with 90 percent containment. The change in estimated size is due to more ...

MADERA COUNTY – It is with great sadness that Sheriff Varney announces the passing of the Sheriff’s Office’s longest serving employee. Diana Rankin passed away at her home last Tuesday. She had been employed with the Sheriff’s Office since February of 1975 and had worked in a variety of capacities including a Jail Matron, Dispatcher, and for the last 15 ...

COARSEGOLD – Logan Sesto had a profound yet seemingly simple wish: a day of play at the beach. Not much is uncomplicated, though, when you’re someone like Logan. Now 5, the cherub-faced charmer lives with residual health effects of Transverse Myelitis (TM), an autoimmune disease he acquired as a baby. While being as active as possible, Logan is a paraplegic, so going ...

YOSEMITE – Hans Florine, world renowned rock climber, completed his 100th ascent of the Nose Route of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on Saturday, Sept. 12. Florine, along with Jayme Moye, an adventure writer from Boulder, Colo., and Fiona Thornewell, an adventurer from London, England, finished the ascent on Saturday afternoon, after beginning the climb on Thursday, Sept. 10. ...

COARSEGOLD — The American Red Cross of the Central Valley is opening a shelter to assist residents affected by the Sundance Fire. The shelter is located at the Yosemite Lakes Community Church, 43840 Patrick Ave. in Yosemite Lakes Park. Red Cross volunteers will provide lodging, meals, hygiene kits and more for the evacuated families. “We started working with our government ...

Written by Ryan R. Traina, FDNY –  As the sun rose over the steep mountains of the Six Rivers National Forest, my day began with a personal guided tour with Matthew Conklin, the Operations Section Chief of the Southern California Incident Management Team 2. We were operating at the Gasquet Complex fire, located in the northwestern corner of California. Matthew ...

YOSEMITE – There are currently four fires burning in Yosemite National Park. The Tenaya Fire (37 46.091 x 119 34.641 – Mariposa Co., 7200′ elevation, date reported 9/7). This wildfire began on the afternoon Monday, of Sept. 7, and is being suppressed. The fire is located along the Lehamite Creek Trail from the north rim of the Valley to the ...